Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-23
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.

Something Concerning Its Standing and
Its Organization in Sacramento.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
may be called modern institution, though
the idea of its fundamental principle is of
sufficient antiquity to please the most ex-
acting of antique hunters Odd Fellowship
is a system of fraternal benevolence and
reciprocal aid, and in its practical workings
has blended many beautiful ceremonies
with solid and useful forms, though this
character is peculiar to all delicately organ
lied assoeiauons-in fact, of nature itself.
While it is not our purpose to elaborate
upon the principles and beautiful workings
Of the Order, yet as a matter of informa-
ton, we would give something of the
status and wonderful activity of Odd Eel
lowship, now so prominent in our commu-
nifty.
Sacramento was early in the field of
benevolence, and Odd Fellowship was one
of the earliest mediums through which her
generous people prac.iced the noble charao-
teristics of their nature to which the early
records of the city bear ample testimony,
even before the Order was legitimately or
ganized and instituted by Lodges in the
State.
There are at the present time in this
city six subordinate lodges, comprising a
membership of about LOO; patriarchal
branch, consisting of two encampments
having 225 members, and a Rebekah
branch, consisting of two Rebekah degree
lodges, having $50 members.
The military branch of the Order here
comprises Cantons Nos. and Is, as COM
ponents, and form Grand Canton No. L,
Patriarchs Militant, l. O. o. F., Depart
ment of the Pacific, having ninety men,
bers or swords.
OF the auxiliaries, which form part of
this great and growing interest in this city,
is the Veteran o. F. Association, of Saera-
mento, comprising 100 members, who have
been Odd Fellows twenty years or more,
and are still contributing members of some
Lodge of the Order. Their objects are of
a social character. The General Relief
Committee forms an important auxiliary,
and is truly an indispensable adjunct in
dispensing the beneficence of the Order to
those who are sojourners here, and who by
reason of sickness or misfortune need the
attention and care of their brethren. 1t
comprises three members of each Lodge
and Encampment, who serve six-month
period, and meet for business purposes
every alternate Sunday morning at the Odd
Fellows Temple. valuable feature is its
employment committee whose duty it is to
provide occupation for the needy and able
Odd Fellow stranger among US its labors
are all gratuitously and well performed.
The Odd Fellows Library is a source of
much comfort and usefulness to all the
members and to their families, who have
free use of the books and the privilege of
the rooms. 1t comprises 5000 volumes of
well-selected current literature has the
magazines and papers of the day, and
lady Librarian to attend to the wants of its
patrons. 1t is sustained by contributions
from the Lodges.
The home of all these is in the Odd Fell
lows Temple, corner of Ninth and X
streets. This is one of the most notable of
our public buildings, and is an evidence of
the character and permanency of Odd Fell
lowship. It is in charge of Board of
eleven Directors, elected annually by the
stockholders, who manage and care for the
property, which is owned solely by the
Lodges and Encampments and has prob
able value of 100000. There is, in addi
ton TO this. the cemetery property of the
Order, under care of joint Board of Trus
tees comprised OF the subordinate Lodges.
It is claimed to be the largest and best i'm
proved society plat in the City Cemetery,
and is an exceedingly important interest in
connection with this Order.
Recently the Odd Fellows here have
been very active, and their Lodges nightly
are thronged with earnest, enthusiastic
members, who are doing noble work in
the cause of friendship, love and truth ;
visitations and intervisitations among the
Lodges and Camps, and even the Rebekah
Lodges make fraternal visits to the subor-
dinates, thus engendering greater activity
and harmony-a cooperation the beneficial
effect of which is being felt in the COM
munity.
This evening C. T. McEachran, the
Grand Master of the Order, has called all
the Lodges together for a joint visit of fra
ternal interest and instruction, and the
members here are making preparations for
a grand reception Of the Grand officers for
the occasion. Eureka Lodge, No. 4. of
which Elwood Bruner, the Deputy Grand
Master, is member, has, as compliment,
been selected, under whose auspices the
meeting will be held, concerning the gem
eraI result of which the RECORD UNION will
give details.